Revenge of the Fox
Chapter 21
Gwen stood by the aft windows in the Captain's cabin of the Vixen, and watched while the port of Nassau slipped away. Reynard had locked her in here rather than her own cabin, saying they'd only be in port a couple of hours. Indeed, they'd been there just over two hours when they weighed anchor. Only a few members of the crew had gone ashore. Gwen fervently hoped that Annamaria, Elizabeth and Antonia were safe. Reynard seemed to underestimate their abilities. She hoped he would continue to do so. Gwen knew that if it were possible the three women would find their way free. The question was, would it be possible?
As for herself, Gwen no longer knew what to do. She wasn't going to be able to keep Reynard at arms' length much longer. Indeed, she only had his word that the other women would be sent safe back to Port Royal, and she didn't particularly trust his word.
The door opened and Reynard came in. "Hello, my dear. I'm sorry you weren't able to visit the town, but we have to get going to our next destination."
Gwen shrugged. "No matter. Where are the three other women?"
Reynard raised his eyebrows. "Why should you care? I understood that you and Miss Simone had words the other day."
Gwen smiled mockingly. "Annamaria and I have words on a regular basis, Captain Reynard. She's a prickly sort, as you no doubt noticed. Besides, I have no quarrel with Mrs. Turner and Miss Swann."
Reynard lounged in a chair. "They're safe in Nassau."
"Where?" Gwen asked dryly. "Another brothel?"
"Aye, as a matter of fact," said Reynard. "A much higher class one this time."
"I trust they're there only as a place to stay for a while?"
"Indeed," he retorted, with a wounded look on his face. "Did I not promise you they would be unmolested?"
"Is your promise any good?"
"Why Gwen, darling. You've cut me to the quick," he said with a false look of sorrow. He rose and went to her, backing her against the wall and tipping her chin up. "I can't imagine why you don't trust me."
"Can't you?" She jerked her chin out of his hand and tried to sidle past him.
He stepped in front of her again and cupped his hand around the nap of her neck. "For fulfilling our bargain to this point, I expect an installment." He lowered his head and kissed her. She tried to pull away, but he threaded his fingers through her hair and held her steady.
When he at last raised his head she glared at him. "Satisfied for the moment?" Gwen asked bitterly.
"Not at all, my sweet," he murmured and lowered his head again. This time Gwen managed to duck away. She made for the door, hoping to escape, but he caught her arm before she could. "When will you be prepared to uphold your end of the bargain, luv?" Reynard asked sharply.
"When I've proof that those three women are safe in Port Royal," she returned, jerking her arm from his grasp. "And not before." Turning on her heel, she fled from the cabin, shutting the door in his face.
--
At a small dock at the edge of the waterfront, Annamaria spotted a small, one masted fishing boat. It wasn't that dissimilar from the one Jack had stolen from her three years ago. One he'd never made good on, come to think of it. Following her whispered instructions, the other three women crept aboard and covered themselves with a fishnet that had been sitting in the boat. Carefully, Annamaria stuffed her hair into a straw hat that had been left aboard, shoved the boat from the dock and raised the sail. "The Vixen isn't in harbor," she reported. "They've already gone."
"What do we do now?" Elizabeth asked from her hiding place.
"For now just stay down," Anna instructed. "None of you look the least bit like sailors. We don't want to attract any attention."
--
The Black Pearl was within hours of Nassau. Jack was at the helm, scanning the sea before him. Will was pacing the deck. Jack was quite sure that the young man would wear a trench in the planking before long. Joseph was sitting on a coil of rope, smoothing out a knick in his sword blade with a whetstone.
Norrington stood beside him, fidgeting with his telescope. "What will you do if you see the Vixen?"
Jack spared him a glance. "From all reports she's smaller than we are. We'll take her, of course."
"And if she won't heave to?"
"Then I'll follow her. She has to stop sometime." His glance was hard and cold; there was no trace of the slightly tipsy geniality that often dwelt on his face.
Below them on the deck, Will stopped pacing, took Joseph's sword and stone away from him and started sharpening with a vengeance. Norrington allowed himself a wry smile. At the rate Turner was going, by the time he was done Joseph was going to be able to shave with that blade. Joseph apparently thought so too. He came up the stairs to the quarterdeck. "Begging your pardon, Captain, Commodore, but Mr. Turner is in an industrious mood. Do either of you wish to have your sword seen to?"
Jack immediately slipped his sword belt over his head and handed it to Joseph. "By all means. For God's sake keep him busy, Joseph, before he drives us all insane."
"Aye, Cap'n," said Joseph with a grin. "It's what I'm trying to do."
Norrington slipped off his baldric as well and handed it over. "If he finishes with these, Joseph, you might want to start rounding up weapons from the rest of the crew."
Joseph looked down at Will. "I may have to."
--
Captain Hale was managing to keep the Black Pearl in sight, but it wasn't easy. How the devil did Sparrow get that big ship to go that fast? His own ship, the Sandpiper, was considered in some circles to be one of the faster smuggler's sloops in the area, but it was nothing to what the Pearl was able to do. He glanced over at Lt. Markson, who was securing some lines. Fine man, Markson. Not nearly as starched up as some of those military types. If Hale had to have dealings with the military at least he'd ended up with a decent chap.
--
"You can come out now," Annamaria said. "We're clear of the harbor."
Thankfully, the other women pushed the netting aside and sat up. "Now what are we going to do?" Antonia asked.
"I'm not entirely sure," admitted Annamaria. "Make for the next closest island, maybe?"
Elizabeth nodded. "That would probably be the best thing. We don't have any supplies, so we can't stay out here for too long." She pulled out the purse Anna had stolen from Jeannine's client and examined the contents. "There's enough here to purchase some basic necessities anyway."
"Then I propose we put in at the nearest reasonably sized town, and pick up enough supplies to carry us while we try and find the island that Reynard is headed toward," Antonia said.
"Don't you want to head straight back to Port Royal?" Annamaria asked
"Not without Gwen," Antonia answered with a cool look.
Annamaria regarded her with approval. "All right, Tonia, we try and rescue Gwen."
"I wish we knew where the Pearl was, and how to get in touch with her," said Elizabeth. "I hate to think of them sailing into a trap."
Throughout this exchange, Jeannine sat quietly, saying nothing. Elizabeth looked over at her. "Tell me, Jeannine," she said. "How did you come to be in that brothel?"
"My ship was captured by pirates," she answered. "They took me captive, then sold me to that woman."
Annamaria frowned. "Were you on the ship alone?"
Jeannine dropped her eyes. "No. My brother was with me. I have no idea what happened to him." She went on. "My father worked as an overseer of a sugar plantation in Martinique. He died last month. My brother took over his position, but requested permission to escort me to New Orleans to live with my aunt." She raised her eyes. "Thank you for rescuing me from that place."
"You're welcome," Antonia said.
"The only trouble with rescuing people," Annamaria pointed out, "is that then you have to figure out what to do with them afterward."
"Relax, Anna," said Elizabeth. "I'm sure that between Antonia and I, we can arrange passage to either New Orleans or Martinique for her."
"But what until then?" Annamaria asked. "We're planning on trying to rescue Gwen. We don't need to be dragging this chit along with us."
"You needn't speak of me as if I wasn't here," said Jeannine, a flush rising in her cheeks. "I don't understand what you are planning to do, but I promise that I will do whatever I can to help, or to stay out of the way if you prefer."
"Don't worry about her," Antonia confided, jerking her head at Annamaria. "She gets irritable. You have to learn to ignore her moods."
Annamaria glared at Antonia, then turned her gaze at Jeannine. "You said your father was an overseer?"
"Yes."
Anna turned her eyes back to the sea ahead. "Well at least you aren't a noblewoman. I've had quite enough of noblewomen."
--
Author's Note** Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, especially Ember, Eledhwen, Erin, Poppy Brook, TexasKH, and Kirsten who have signed in multiple times. I really appreciate it! It's thrilling for me to know that people are actually READING this. As always, compliments are gladly accepted and constructive criticism is gratefully accepted.
Chapter 21
Gwen stood by the aft windows in the Captain's cabin of the Vixen, and watched while the port of Nassau slipped away. Reynard had locked her in here rather than her own cabin, saying they'd only be in port a couple of hours. Indeed, they'd been there just over two hours when they weighed anchor. Only a few members of the crew had gone ashore. Gwen fervently hoped that Annamaria, Elizabeth and Antonia were safe. Reynard seemed to underestimate their abilities. She hoped he would continue to do so. Gwen knew that if it were possible the three women would find their way free. The question was, would it be possible?
As for herself, Gwen no longer knew what to do. She wasn't going to be able to keep Reynard at arms' length much longer. Indeed, she only had his word that the other women would be sent safe back to Port Royal, and she didn't particularly trust his word.
The door opened and Reynard came in. "Hello, my dear. I'm sorry you weren't able to visit the town, but we have to get going to our next destination."
Gwen shrugged. "No matter. Where are the three other women?"
Reynard raised his eyebrows. "Why should you care? I understood that you and Miss Simone had words the other day."
Gwen smiled mockingly. "Annamaria and I have words on a regular basis, Captain Reynard. She's a prickly sort, as you no doubt noticed. Besides, I have no quarrel with Mrs. Turner and Miss Swann."
Reynard lounged in a chair. "They're safe in Nassau."
"Where?" Gwen asked dryly. "Another brothel?"
"Aye, as a matter of fact," said Reynard. "A much higher class one this time."
"I trust they're there only as a place to stay for a while?"
"Indeed," he retorted, with a wounded look on his face. "Did I not promise you they would be unmolested?"
"Is your promise any good?"
"Why Gwen, darling. You've cut me to the quick," he said with a false look of sorrow. He rose and went to her, backing her against the wall and tipping her chin up. "I can't imagine why you don't trust me."
"Can't you?" She jerked her chin out of his hand and tried to sidle past him.
He stepped in front of her again and cupped his hand around the nap of her neck. "For fulfilling our bargain to this point, I expect an installment." He lowered his head and kissed her. She tried to pull away, but he threaded his fingers through her hair and held her steady.
When he at last raised his head she glared at him. "Satisfied for the moment?" Gwen asked bitterly.
"Not at all, my sweet," he murmured and lowered his head again. This time Gwen managed to duck away. She made for the door, hoping to escape, but he caught her arm before she could. "When will you be prepared to uphold your end of the bargain, luv?" Reynard asked sharply.
"When I've proof that those three women are safe in Port Royal," she returned, jerking her arm from his grasp. "And not before." Turning on her heel, she fled from the cabin, shutting the door in his face.
--
At a small dock at the edge of the waterfront, Annamaria spotted a small, one masted fishing boat. It wasn't that dissimilar from the one Jack had stolen from her three years ago. One he'd never made good on, come to think of it. Following her whispered instructions, the other three women crept aboard and covered themselves with a fishnet that had been sitting in the boat. Carefully, Annamaria stuffed her hair into a straw hat that had been left aboard, shoved the boat from the dock and raised the sail. "The Vixen isn't in harbor," she reported. "They've already gone."
"What do we do now?" Elizabeth asked from her hiding place.
"For now just stay down," Anna instructed. "None of you look the least bit like sailors. We don't want to attract any attention."
--
The Black Pearl was within hours of Nassau. Jack was at the helm, scanning the sea before him. Will was pacing the deck. Jack was quite sure that the young man would wear a trench in the planking before long. Joseph was sitting on a coil of rope, smoothing out a knick in his sword blade with a whetstone.
Norrington stood beside him, fidgeting with his telescope. "What will you do if you see the Vixen?"
Jack spared him a glance. "From all reports she's smaller than we are. We'll take her, of course."
"And if she won't heave to?"
"Then I'll follow her. She has to stop sometime." His glance was hard and cold; there was no trace of the slightly tipsy geniality that often dwelt on his face.
Below them on the deck, Will stopped pacing, took Joseph's sword and stone away from him and started sharpening with a vengeance. Norrington allowed himself a wry smile. At the rate Turner was going, by the time he was done Joseph was going to be able to shave with that blade. Joseph apparently thought so too. He came up the stairs to the quarterdeck. "Begging your pardon, Captain, Commodore, but Mr. Turner is in an industrious mood. Do either of you wish to have your sword seen to?"
Jack immediately slipped his sword belt over his head and handed it to Joseph. "By all means. For God's sake keep him busy, Joseph, before he drives us all insane."
"Aye, Cap'n," said Joseph with a grin. "It's what I'm trying to do."
Norrington slipped off his baldric as well and handed it over. "If he finishes with these, Joseph, you might want to start rounding up weapons from the rest of the crew."
Joseph looked down at Will. "I may have to."
--
Captain Hale was managing to keep the Black Pearl in sight, but it wasn't easy. How the devil did Sparrow get that big ship to go that fast? His own ship, the Sandpiper, was considered in some circles to be one of the faster smuggler's sloops in the area, but it was nothing to what the Pearl was able to do. He glanced over at Lt. Markson, who was securing some lines. Fine man, Markson. Not nearly as starched up as some of those military types. If Hale had to have dealings with the military at least he'd ended up with a decent chap.
--
"You can come out now," Annamaria said. "We're clear of the harbor."
Thankfully, the other women pushed the netting aside and sat up. "Now what are we going to do?" Antonia asked.
"I'm not entirely sure," admitted Annamaria. "Make for the next closest island, maybe?"
Elizabeth nodded. "That would probably be the best thing. We don't have any supplies, so we can't stay out here for too long." She pulled out the purse Anna had stolen from Jeannine's client and examined the contents. "There's enough here to purchase some basic necessities anyway."
"Then I propose we put in at the nearest reasonably sized town, and pick up enough supplies to carry us while we try and find the island that Reynard is headed toward," Antonia said.
"Don't you want to head straight back to Port Royal?" Annamaria asked
"Not without Gwen," Antonia answered with a cool look.
Annamaria regarded her with approval. "All right, Tonia, we try and rescue Gwen."
"I wish we knew where the Pearl was, and how to get in touch with her," said Elizabeth. "I hate to think of them sailing into a trap."
Throughout this exchange, Jeannine sat quietly, saying nothing. Elizabeth looked over at her. "Tell me, Jeannine," she said. "How did you come to be in that brothel?"
"My ship was captured by pirates," she answered. "They took me captive, then sold me to that woman."
Annamaria frowned. "Were you on the ship alone?"
Jeannine dropped her eyes. "No. My brother was with me. I have no idea what happened to him." She went on. "My father worked as an overseer of a sugar plantation in Martinique. He died last month. My brother took over his position, but requested permission to escort me to New Orleans to live with my aunt." She raised her eyes. "Thank you for rescuing me from that place."
"You're welcome," Antonia said.
"The only trouble with rescuing people," Annamaria pointed out, "is that then you have to figure out what to do with them afterward."
"Relax, Anna," said Elizabeth. "I'm sure that between Antonia and I, we can arrange passage to either New Orleans or Martinique for her."
"But what until then?" Annamaria asked. "We're planning on trying to rescue Gwen. We don't need to be dragging this chit along with us."
"You needn't speak of me as if I wasn't here," said Jeannine, a flush rising in her cheeks. "I don't understand what you are planning to do, but I promise that I will do whatever I can to help, or to stay out of the way if you prefer."
"Don't worry about her," Antonia confided, jerking her head at Annamaria. "She gets irritable. You have to learn to ignore her moods."
Annamaria glared at Antonia, then turned her gaze at Jeannine. "You said your father was an overseer?"
"Yes."
Anna turned her eyes back to the sea ahead. "Well at least you aren't a noblewoman. I've had quite enough of noblewomen."
--
Author's Note** Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, especially Ember, Eledhwen, Erin, Poppy Brook, TexasKH, and Kirsten who have signed in multiple times. I really appreciate it! It's thrilling for me to know that people are actually READING this. As always, compliments are gladly accepted and constructive criticism is gratefully accepted.
